There are a handful of ferry routes to the Channel Islands, split between the two main islands. Jersey is served by DFDS from St Malo, Poole and Portsmouth; Guernsey by Brittany Ferries, under its Condor brand, from Poole and Portsmouth.
Which route works best depends on where you're starting, which island you want, and how long you want to spend at sea. Because the operator network changed in 2025, always check the current timetable for your dates. Here's how the routes compare.
Ferry routes to Jersey
~2 hours
Check Prices »~4 hours
Check Prices »~10 hours
Check Prices »| Route | Operator | Duration | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Malo–Jersey | DFDS | ~2 hours | View » |
| Poole–Jersey | DFDS | ~4 hours | View » |
| Portsmouth–Jersey | DFDS | ~10 hours | View » |
Jersey is served by DFDS. St Malo is the shortest crossing; from the UK, Poole is quicker and Portsmouth longer.
Ferry routes to Guernsey
~3 hours
Check Prices »~7 hours+
Check Prices »| Route | Operator | Duration | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole–Guernsey | Brittany Ferries (Condor) | ~3 hours | View » |
| Portsmouth–Guernsey | Brittany Ferries (Condor) | ~7 hours+ | View » |
Guernsey is served by Brittany Ferries under its Condor brand, from Poole and Portsmouth. Selected St Malo and Jersey connections also run at times.
Fastest and slowest routes
The crossings vary a lot in length:
- Shortest: St Malo to Jersey, around two hours — best from France
- Quickest from the UK: Poole to Guernsey (around three hours) or Poole to Jersey (around four)
- Longest: the Portsmouth crossings, around seven to ten hours, often overnight with cabins
- Inter-island: seasonal sailings link Jersey and Guernsey — check schedules before booking both
Which route is right for you?
A quick way to narrow it down:
- Going to Jersey: DFDS from St Malo (shortest), Poole (quicker UK) or Portsmouth (longer)
- Going to Guernsey: Brittany Ferries/Condor from Poole (faster) or Portsmouth (overnight)
- Coming from France: St Malo to Jersey is the obvious choice
- Want an overnight crossing: the conventional Portsmouth sailings
Booking the routes
A few things worth knowing across the network:
- Book ahead: summer and school holidays are busy, and space is limited
- Check the operator: after the 2025 change, confirm who runs your exact route and date
- Documents: photo ID is required; bring a passport for any route via St Malo
- Vehicles: cars are carried on all main routes, with no baggage charges
- Combining islands: possible, but inter-island sailings are seasonal — check before booking
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ferry routes are there to the Channel Islands?
Five main routes — three to Jersey (St Malo, Poole, Portsmouth) with DFDS, and two to Guernsey (Poole, Portsmouth) with Brittany Ferries under the Condor brand.
What's the shortest ferry route to the Channel Islands?
St Malo to Jersey, at around two hours.
What's the quickest route from the UK?
Poole to Guernsey (around three hours) or Poole to Jersey (around four), both by fast ferry.
Which routes are overnight?
The longer Portsmouth crossings to Jersey and Guernsey can run overnight on conventional ships, with cabins available.
Can I combine Jersey and Guernsey?
Yes, with inter-island sailings, but these are seasonal — check the timetable before booking hotels on both islands.